Giving Breast Pump to a Friend, Problem?

It's the accessories (tubes, etc.) that need to be new. You're good to go. The machine parts/motor, don't touch the milk so they are clean.

They (the manufacturers) worry about communicable diseases, hence voiding the warranty if it passes to another person. (Think HIV/AIDS, Hep C, any blood contagious disease, etc. .)

If you are a carrier of anything like that, then, no you should not pass it along.

If you are not a carrier of anything along those lines, then I think it is fine. (I passed along mine to a friend also. You may try pulling at the front face of the pump. Mine was a medela pump in style, and you could remove the face of the pump, and get underneath to clean out behind the front face, where there was an o-ring that sealed. For me, I know that I got milk in that section a few times because of overfilling the bottles, and getting milk all the way down the lines.)

Like I said, this does void any warranty, but they just want to make sure that it is not used to spread something between people, especially to newborns.

------------ETA----------
Hospital grade pumps are different, as the milk CANNOT come into contact with the pump, so there is no risk of contamination. Each kit that is used with it, attaches to it, but is not ever able to contaminate the milk.

Home pumps are made differently (which makes them smaller and more portable) but you can have milk get into them, and get contaminated. It mostly does not happen, but it is possible. Hence the worry from my previous comments. Just to clarify some of the differences. :)

I see noting wrong with giving the pump to your friend. My sisters, cousins & I have used the same pump with different accessories. I think it's a very nice gesture that you are purchasing the new accessories for her. We purchased our own and passed the pump back and forth to ourselves. Luckily none of us were nursing at the same time. :)

I used a Medela pump which had belonged to a friend for our two kids (she weaned just when I was getting ready to have #1). I then passed it on to a former student who was having her first child. Even with buying new accessories, it was a great savings. Have her ask the lactation consultant and have them test it out to see it's working well.

You're giving a lovely gift!

The Medela Pump-In-Style is an expensive breast pump and a good one!!

How great that you are doing this!! Since you are replacing the tubing and suction cup - she's good to go!!

I gave mine, with new tubing and accessories to my SIL (also a Medela) and there hasn't being a proble; if hospitals rent theirs to different people, I don't see why you can't give your's away when all the things that would have contact with her and the milk will be new?
Its nice of you to pass this on!

I gave my Medela breast pump to my SIL's best friend (who I know casually) since I was never going to need it again and it worked wonderfully. She bought the new tubes, etc. to go with it. It cost about $200 when I got it and I was glad that it wouldn't go to waste. I also served as her over-the-phone lactation coach when she was learning how to get it right those first few weeks. She & her hsuband sent me a sweet thank-you card with a restaurant gift card inside. From what I understand she then passed it along to someone else she knew.

PS My kids are now in High school, hers in middle school. No bad effects on anyone.

I gave mine to my friend's daughter. I think if there are no issues as Valerie F. mentioned, it should be fine.

My sister in law gave me hers with all new accessories. It was all good.

Heck no! It's great!!!! I bought mine used from one of my sisters close friends for $40! I used it (not much) for 4 yrs and then passed it on to another friend!!!! As long as you get new shields and tubing etc, the other part is really just a motor and bag!!!

It really is fine, but let her hear that from a lactation consultant. She could probably request a consult now before the baby arrives, they can check/test the suction level and maybe even give her the kit you would be buying. The motor is the expense and you are saving her money. How nice of you.

Sounds like a wonderful gift!

i think its totally fine, i would imagine she will know if the motor isnt working properly and if everything else is new, what could be a problem. and as someone else mentioned, you could rent pumps so i have to imagine they are able to be cleaned and last a few years.

My daughter bought her last pump, used, from a clinic that helps with breast feeding. She bought a new accessory kit. She sold it then to someone else. No problems.

Medela will tell you it's not safe. But, of course, they want to sell more pumps. I used my sister-in-law's. She took it in to a local place that checked it out to make sure it's suction was working right and bought all new tubing. We had no problems and I passed it on too. It saves someone a ton of cash!